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| Max Gradel | |
|---|---|
| Name | Max Gradel |
| Fullname | Max-Alain Gradel |
| Birth date | 1987-11-30 |
| Birth place | Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Position | Winger, Forward |
| Youthclubs | AS Saint-Estève, Limoges, Istres, Toulouse |
Max Gradel is an Ivorian professional footballer who has played as a winger and forward for clubs across France, England, and Saudi Arabia, and has been a regular member of the Ivory Coast national football team. Known for his pace, direct dribbling and goal-scoring from wide positions, he earned recognition in European leagues and at major international tournaments. Gradel's career includes domestic titles, individual awards, and appearances at the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
Born in Abidjan, Gradel moved to France in his youth, joining grassroots sides including AS Saint-Estève and Limoges FC. He progressed through the academies of FC Istres and Toulouse FC, appearing in youth competitions and drawing attention from scouts linked to clubs such as AS Monaco FC, Olympique de Marseille, FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain FC. At Toulouse he played alongside contemporaries who advanced to professional careers and trained under coaches with ties to Ligue 1 development pathways and scouting networks associated with French Football Federation youth initiatives.
Gradel began his senior career with Toulouse FC in Ligue 1, making substitute appearances before moving to SC Bastia in Ligue 2 to secure first-team football. His performances earned a transfer to Le Mans FC where he established himself as an attacking threat, attracting interest from clubs in England such as Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers. In 2010 he signed for AFC Bournemouth’s English rivals and later completed a move to Leeds United AFC in English Football League Championship, becoming a pivotal player under managers including Simon Grayson, Steve Evans, and Garry Monk. At Leeds he won the Supporters' Player of the Year and contributed to promotion campaigns while facing competition from peers like Ross McCormack and Samu Sáiz.
Gradel returned to France with a transfer to Saint-Étienne (AS Saint-Étienne), competing in UEFA Europa League qualifiers and domestic cup competitions against sides such as Olympique Lyonnais, Paris Saint-Germain FC, and AS Monaco FC. Later stages of his club career included a stint with AFC Bournemouth-linked loan movements and a transfer to the Saudi Pro League where he joined clubs such as Amiens SC-linked transfers and faced international stars recruited by Saudi Arabian Football Federation projects. Throughout his club career he played in fixtures against historic rivals including RC Lens, FC Nantes, Le Havre AC and appeared at venues like St James' Park and Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Eligible for Ivory Coast national football team, Gradel made his debut under coach Hervé Renard and featured in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and tournaments including the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 FIFA World Cup cycle. He was part of squads alongside prominent Ivorian internationals such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, Gervinho, and Yaya Sanogo and competed in matches versus national teams like Cameroon national football team, Ghana national football team, Nigeria national football team, and Algeria national football team. Gradel contributed goals and assists in qualifying campaigns overseen by Fédération Ivoirienne de Football and played in fixtures staged at venues including Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.
Gradel is noted for acceleration and direct wide play, employing dribbling techniques seen in players from academies such as Clairefontaine graduates and stylistic parallels to wingers who played for clubs like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid Castilla at youth levels. Analysts in British outlets compared his movement and crossing to contemporaries in the English Football League and Ligue 1. Coaches including those from Leeds United AFC, AS Saint-Étienne, and national team staff praised his work rate, while pundits from BBC Sport, L'Équipe, and Sky Sports highlighted his propensity for decisive runs and set-piece contributions.
Gradel comes from Abidjan and has family ties that maintained connections with Ivorian communities in France. His off-field interests include charitable engagement tied to initiatives associated with former internationals like Didier Drogba and foundations working with UNICEF in West Africa. He has been involved in community appearances alongside club ambassadors from Leeds United AFC and participated in promotional events coordinated with Fédération Ivoirienne de Football and club community departments.
Club appearances and goals span his spells at Toulouse FC, SC Bastia, Le Mans FC, Leeds United AFC, AS Saint-Étienne, and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with notable seasons in the English Football League Championship and Ligue 1. Internationally he earned caps and scored in competitive fixtures for the Ivory Coast national football team in qualifiers for FIFA World Cup tournaments and appearances at Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
Gradel's honours include domestic recognition such as club Player of the Year awards at Leeds United AFC and league-related accolades during promotion pushes in the English Football League. Internationally he was part of Ivory Coast national football team squads competing for titles at the Africa Cup of Nations and participated in FIFA-sanctioned tournaments. He has received individual mentions from media outlets including BBC Sport, L'Équipe and Sky Sports for his performances.
Category:Ivorian footballers Category:1987 births Category:Living people